Two sections of Oxford’s Thames towpath are set to be closed for essential repair work to the eroding riverbank.

The anticipated start date is Monday 9 September.

The first closure will be in place between the Sir Geoffrey Arthur building and Marlborough Road on the Grandpont side of the riverbank. The opposite bank on the City/Friars Wharf side and the Gasworks Pipe footbridge will be unaffected.

Following completion of the Grandpont works, a second set of closures will come into force from late October, as work takes place along the towpath from Folly Bridge south to Donnington Bridge.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This work forms part of our commitment to invest in the county’s blue-green infrastructure and it will safeguard this towpath for many years to come.

“We realise how popular this towpath is but the safety of users and workers is our priority and so we ask people to be patient and observe the closure.”

A combination of signed diversionary routes and local towpath width reductions at the work areas for both sites will be in place until the repairs are completed.

The repair work is aimed at restoring damaged stretches of towpath along the river and safeguarding the riverbank.

It will involve the use of machinery and extensive reconstruction, which is why the towpath must remain closed. For their own safety, people are asked to adhere to the signed diversions and observe obstructions along sections with width restrictions.

It is hoped that the towpath will fully reopen soon after this work is completed, which is expected to be the beginning of February 2025.

However, it is possible that the dates may have to change due to severe weather or other constraints affecting the works.

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